Contents
Country Overview
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates on the southeastern Arabian Peninsula, with coastlines on the Persian/Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Abu Dhabi is the federal capital, while Dubai is a major international commercial and aviation hub. Hydrocarbons remain important, but trade, logistics, tourism, finance, aviation, advanced manufacturing and services form a diversified economy. National statistics must distinguish the large expatriate-resident population from citizenship, and customs merchandise trade from re-exports and domestic non-oil trade measures.
Federal capitalAbu DhabiSeat of federal institutions [5]
Population11.51 millionWorld Bank estimate, 2025 [2]
GDPUS$552.32 billionWorld Bank country page, 2024 [2]
PresidentMohamed bin ZayedAlso ruler of Abu Dhabi [6]
Prime ministerMohammed bin RashidAlso ruler of Dubai [6]
World Heritage3 propertiesUNESCO after 2026 inscription [11]
Data and status note: World Bank population is 11,513,149 in 2025; the UAE federal statistics agency reports 11.29 million for 2024. World Bank displayed nominal GDP is US$552.32 billion for 2024, so it should not be mislabeled as a 2025 World Bank observation; a separate World Bank April 2026 regional note estimates 2025 GDP at US$585.4 billion, a different release. WTO detailed 2024 merchandise series reports US$429.430 billion exports and US$444.650 billion imports; other national and UNCTAD totals use different trade coverage. UNESCO lists three inscribed properties after the 2026 addition of Wadi Wurayah.
Identity & State Formation
- Official name
- United Arab Emirates (al-Imārāt al-ʿArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah). [5] [1]
- Common acronym
- UAE. [5]
- Federal capital
- Abu Dhabi. [5]
- UN subregion
- Western Asia. [1]
- Federal form
- Federation of seven constituent emirates. [5]
- Independence and federation
- Federation founded December 2, 1971. [5]
- Seventh emirate
- Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation in February 1972. [5]
- President
- Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. [6]
- Prime minister
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. [6]
- Vice president
- Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shares vice-presidential role with Mansour bin Zayed. [6]
- Official language
- Arabic. [5]
- English use
- English is widely used in commerce, business and daily communication. [5]
- Currency
- UAE dirham (AED). [13]
- Currency subunit
- One dirham equals 100 fils. [13]
- Exchange-rate policy
- Dirham is maintained near AED 3.6725 per US dollar. [13]
- Time zone
- UTC+4 year round. [5]
- Federal flag
- Horizontal green, white and black bands with vertical red stripe. [5]
- National day
- Union Day, December 2. [5]
- Constitution
- Federal constitution establishes institutions and emirate powers. [5]
- National leadership structure
- Federal Supreme Council consists of the rulers of seven emirates. [5]
- Abu Dhabi
- Federal capital emirate and largest by land area. [5]
- Dubai
- Major commercial center and most internationally connected city. [5]
- Sharjah
- Emirate with prominent cultural and educational institutions. [5]
- Ajman
- Smaller emirate on western Gulf coast. [5]
- Umm Al Quwain
- Northern Gulf emirate. [5]
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Northern emirate with mountain and industrial areas. [5]
- Fujairah
- Emirate on Gulf of Oman, beyond the Strait of Hormuz. [5]
- UN admission
- Joined United Nations in December 1971. [16]
- ISO codes
- AE / ARE / 784. [1]
Geography & Population
- Regional position
- Southeastern Arabian Peninsula. [1]
- Western coast
- Persian Gulf / Arabian Gulf shoreline. [1]
- Eastern coast
- Gulf of Oman, chiefly Fujairah. [1]
- Southern neighbor
- Oman. [1]
- Western/southern neighbor
- Saudi Arabia. [1]
- Maritime approaches
- Strait of Hormuz lies near the northern Gulf of Oman route. [1]
- Land area
- FCSC reports approximately 71,023.6 square kilometers land area. [4]
- Abu Dhabi city
- Federal capital on a coastal island and adjacent mainland. [5]
- Dubai city
- International transport and tourism hub. [5]
- Sharjah city
- Commercial and cultural urban center. [5]
- Al Ain
- Oasis city in Abu Dhabi emirate. [11]
- Fujairah city
- Gulf of Oman port and regional center. [5]
- Ras Al Khaimah city
- Northern coast and highland access. [5]
- Hajar Mountains
- Mountain system in the eastern and northern emirates. [15]
- Jebel Jais
- High mountain peak in Ras Al Khaimah. [15]
- Sand deserts
- Desert landscapes cover much inland territory. [15]
- Liwa Oasis
- Oasis belt on edge of the Rub al-Khali desert. [15]
- Sabkha
- Coastal salt flats are a characteristic landform. [15]
- Mangroves
- Coastal mangrove ecosystems support biodiversity. [11] [15]
- Summer heat
- Extreme heat is a defining climate hazard. [15]
- Rainfall
- Arid climate with infrequent heavy rain events. [15]
- Flash flooding
- Short intense storms can flood urban and wadi areas. [15]
- Sea-level exposure
- Coastal cities and reclaimed land face climate risks. [15]
- Water supply
- Desalination is central to national municipal water systems. [15]
- 2024 FCSC population
- 11.29 million reported in national statistical summary. [4]
- 2025 World Bank population
- 11,513,149 estimated residents. [2]
- World Bank population growth
- 4.7% in 2025 international estimate. [2]
- Population composition
- Residents include a large share of noncitizen foreign workers and families. [4] [18]
- Citizenship distinction
- Total population is not a count of Emirati citizens. [4]
- Urban concentration
- Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah form major settlement corridors. [5]
- Coastal ecology
- Wadi Wurayah and Al Ain are distinct inland/natural heritage areas. [11]
- Faya landscape
- Desert archaeological terrain is near Sharjah. [11]
- Wadi Wurayah landscape
- Mountain wadi and protected freshwater habitat in Fujairah. [11]
- Al Ain oasis systems
- Agricultural oases illustrate traditional desert water management. [11]
- Western Region
- Abu Dhabi includes extensive western desert territory. [5]
- Northern emirates
- Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah include distinct local jurisdictions. [5]
Population and area reference points
Population includes all residents; year and publication differ. [4] [2]
| Indicator | Value | Source / date |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11.29 million | FCSC 2024 |
| Population | 11,513,149 | World Bank 2025 |
| Population growth | 4.7% | World Bank 2025 |
| Land area | 71,023.6 km² | FCSC national summary |
Seven constituent emirates
Emirates are the constituent units of the federal state. [5]
| Emirate | Notable role | Geographic position |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Federal capital and energy | South and west |
| Dubai | Commerce and logistics | Gulf coast |
| Sharjah | Culture and education | Gulf and east |
| Ajman | Coastal urban center | Gulf coast |
| Umm Al Quwain | Northern communities | Gulf coast |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Mountains and industry | North |
| Fujairah | Indian Ocean approaches | Gulf of Oman |
Economy & International Trade
- Economic structure
- Hydrocarbons, finance, trade, aviation, construction, industry and tourism. [20] [9]
- 2024 GDP (World Bank display)
- US$552.32 billion in current dollars. [2]
- 2025 GDP (separate WB note)
- US$585.4 billion provisional estimate in April 2026 regional brief. [3]
- 2024 national GDP dirhams
- FCSC reported AED 2.028 trillion GDP at current prices. [4]
- GDP year warning
- World Bank country page and separate regional note have different latest periods. [2] [3]
- GDP growth 2024
- 4.0% in World Bank country data. [2]
- GDP per capita 2024
- US$50,273.5 in World Bank country data. [2]
- Inflation 2025
- 1.3% World Bank annual consumer inflation. [2]
- Unemployment 2025
- 2.2% ILO-modeled figure in World Bank country data. [2]
- Currency
- UAE dirham (AED). [13]
- Exchange rate
- Dirham maintains stable US-dollar peg near 3.6725. [13]
- Central bank
- Central Bank of the UAE oversees monetary and banking systems. [13]
- Abu Dhabi hydrocarbons
- Oil and gas are important to exports, income and public investment. [20] [9]
- Dubai economy
- Trade, logistics, finance, tourism and aviation are major sectors. [5] [9]
- Maritime logistics
- Jebel Ali and other ports serve international commerce. [5]
- Air transport
- Major international passenger and cargo networks connect UAE hubs. [5]
- Financial services
- Banking and investment services are major non-oil activities. [20]
- Non-oil development
- Industrial and service diversification is a national policy priority. [20]
- Manufacturing
- Aluminum, chemicals and industrial production contribute to activity. [9] [20]
- Gold trade
- Precious metals feature prominently in import and export trade. [9]
- Re-exports
- Goods moving through regional logistics hubs create complex trade measurement. [9] [10]
- WTO exports 2024
- US$429.4301 billion in goods exports. [9]
- WTO imports 2024
- US$444.6502 billion in goods imports. [9]
- WTO export product crude
- Crude petroleum constituted 18.1% of 2024 reported exports. [9]
- WTO export product gold
- Unwrought nonmonetary gold constituted 18.0% of 2024 exports. [9]
- Import product gold
- Gold accounted for 23.4% of 2024 imports in WTO profile. [9]
- Import smartphones
- Smartphones accounted for 8.2% of 2024 goods imports. [9]
- China import share
- China was 18.9% of 2024 recorded goods imports. [9]
- India exports share
- India received 7.8% of 2024 recorded goods exports. [9]
- UNCTAD trade comparison
- UNCTAD general profile uses a different and larger 2024 goods-trade series. [10] [9]
- WTO data caveat
- Goods totals exclude many services activities, including tourism receipts. [9]
- Renewable energy
- Solar and energy diversification are growing investment priorities. [19] [20]
- Civil nuclear energy
- Nuclear power is part of electricity-sector diversification. [4]
- 2024 exports to Iraq
- Iraq received 7.7% of WTO recorded merchandise exports. [9]
- 2024 exports to Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia received 7.6% of WTO recorded merchandise exports. [9]
- 2024 exports to Türkiye
- Türkiye received 4.6% of WTO recorded exports. [9]
- 2024 imports from EU
- European Union accounted for 12.6% of WTO recorded imports. [9]
- 2024 imports from India
- India accounted for 7.4% of WTO recorded imports. [9]
- 2024 imports from United States
- United States accounted for 5.9% of WTO recorded imports. [9]
- Jewelry imports
- Precious-metal jewelry was a major import category in the 2024 WTO profile. [9]
- Aircraft components
- Turbojet and turboprop engine parts feature in 2024 imports. [9]
- Industrial goods
- Vehicle, technology and precious-stone products feature in two-way trade. [9]
- National energy figures
- FCSC reported 39,000 GWh of nuclear electricity generated during 2024. [4]
- 2025 customs tariff
- WTO reports a 4.8% average MFN applied tariff for 2025. [9]
GDP and major indicators
World Bank country page 2024 GDP should not be relabeled 2025. [2] [3]
| Indicator | Value | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| GDP, current-dollar WB country | US$552.32 billion | 2024 |
| GDP, separate WB regional brief | US$585.4 billion | Provisional 2025 |
| Real GDP growth | 4.0% | 2024 WB country series |
| Inflation | 1.3% | 2025 WB series |
| Population | 11,513,149 | 2025 WB estimate |
Detailed merchandise trade, WTO
WTO 2024 totals exclude services and differ from some national re-export measures. [9]
| Metric | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Goods exports | US$429.430 billion | 2024 |
| Goods imports | US$444.650 billion | 2024 |
| Crude petroleum export share | 18.1% | 2024 |
| Gold export share | 18.0% | 2024 |
| Gold import share | 23.4% | 2024 |
| Imports from China | 18.9% | 2024 |
People & Society
- Official language
- Arabic. [5]
- English
- Common workplace and international commercial language. [5]
- Other languages
- Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, Tagalog and others are spoken by residents. [4]
- Religion
- Islam is the official religion and principal religious tradition. [5]
- Other faith communities
- Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other communities serve expatriate populations. [5]
- Emirati citizens
- National citizens are one portion of total residents. [4]
- Foreign resident workforce
- Large migrant workforce supports construction, services and households. [18] [4]
- Population estimate 2025
- World Bank count is for all residents, not Emirati citizens alone. [2]
- Life expectancy
- Approximately 83 years in World Bank 2024 series. [2]
- Health infrastructure
- Major medical institutions are concentrated in urban emirates. [14]
- Education
- Public and private schools and universities operate across emirates. [5]
- Higher education
- Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah host national and international universities. [5]
- Cultural pluralism
- Communities from many countries contribute to daily social life. [4]
- Arabic cultural heritage
- Poetry, oral traditions and hospitality remain culturally important. [12]
- Falconry
- Traditional falconry is part of regional intangible heritage. [12]
- Camel heritage
- Camel racing and husbandry form part of Arabian traditions. [12]
- Al Ain oases
- Historic water and settlement landscapes are recognized by UNESCO. [11]
- Faya archaeology
- Faya Palaeolandscape preserves evidence of early human occupation. [11]
- Coastal nature
- Protected wadis and mountain streams support endangered habitats. [11]
- Public transport
- Metropolitan transit and regional roads connect major cities. [5]
- Tourism
- Museums, hotels, beaches and desert destinations attract international visitors. [5]
- Water dependence
- Desalination and conservation are central to domestic water security. [15]
- Heat exposure
- High summer temperatures affect occupational and public health. [15] [18]
- Urbanization
- Population is strongly concentrated in metropolitan areas. [4]
- Sport and recreation
- Football, motorsport and equestrian activities have major followings. [5]
- Approximately 200 nationalities
- FCSC reports around 200 nationalities residing and working in UAE. [4]
- Falconry history
- Hunting traditions are preserved as cultural heritage. [12]
- Mountain conservation
- Wadi Wurayah heritage emphasizes biodiversity protection. [11]
Government & Institutions
- Federal constitution
- Constitution distributes federal and emirate-level powers. [5]
- State form
- Federation of seven hereditary emirates. [5]
- President
- Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi. [6]
- Presidency
- Selected by Federal Supreme Council of emirate rulers. [5]
- Vice president / prime minister
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai. [6]
- Additional vice president
- Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. [6]
- Federal Supreme Council
- Comprises the seven rulers. [5]
- Council of Ministers
- Federal executive cabinet headed by the prime minister. [5]
- Federal National Council
- Consultative parliamentary body. [7]
- Council size
- 40 members. [7]
- FNC seat selection
- Twenty members chosen through electoral colleges, twenty appointed by rulers. [8]
- Electoral franchise
- FNC voting is through selected electoral colleges, not universal suffrage. [8]
- 2023 FNC elections
- Most recent election cycle in October 2023. [7] [8]
- Speaker
- Saqr Ghobash re-elected FNC speaker November 2023. [7]
- Federal judiciary
- Federal courts coexist with some local emirate judicial systems. [5]
- Abu Dhabi powers
- Abu Dhabi emirate has its own executive and local institutions. [5]
- Dubai powers
- Dubai emirate manages distinct municipal and economic systems. [5]
- Sharjah powers
- Sharjah has its own ruler and local authorities. [5]
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Constituent emirate with local public institutions. [5]
- Fujairah
- Constituent emirate with Gulf of Oman territory. [5]
- Ajman
- Constituent emirate with local administration. [5]
- Umm Al Quwain
- Constituent emirate with local administration. [5]
- Oil and gas policy
- Emirate-level and federal institutions share sector responsibilities. [5] [20]
- Foreign affairs
- Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates external relations. [17]
- Central bank oversight
- Financial-system regulation operates at national level. [13]
- Federal capital
- National government institutions are centered in Abu Dhabi. [5]
- Institutional distinction
- FNC is not a directly elected sovereign legislature equivalent to a parliamentary lower house. [7] [8]
- Public leadership
- Federal president and prime minister hold distinct constitutional offices. [6]
Federal institutions
FNC indirect participation differs from broad universal-suffrage legislatures. [5] [7] [8]
| Body | Composition | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Supreme Council | Seven emirate rulers | Highest federal authority |
| Council of Ministers | Federal executive cabinet | Administration |
| Federal National Council | 40 members, mixed selection | Consultative and legislative review |
| Federal judiciary | National and local court structures | Justice |
International Profile
- United Nations
- Member since December 9, 1971. [16]
- Gulf Cooperation Council
- Founding member of GCC regional cooperation. [17]
- Arab League
- Member of the League of Arab States. [17]
- OPEC
- Oil-producing member of OPEC. [20]
- WTO
- Participates in multilateral trade framework. [9]
- India trade
- Major export destination in 2024 WTO trade profile. [9]
- China imports
- Largest source of goods imports in detailed 2024 series. [9]
- Saudi Arabia relations
- Neighboring Gulf state and major goods trading partner. [9] [17]
- Oman relations
- Land neighbor and regional maritime partner. [17]
- Iran relations
- Maritime neighbor across Strait of Hormuz and Gulf. [17]
- US relations
- Economic and security ties include technology and commerce. [17]
- European Union relations
- EU contributes significantly to imported merchandise. [9]
- Transport corridors
- Ports and airports function as regional logistics networks. [5]
- Dubai diplomacy
- Dubai hosts international business and conference activity. [5]
- Abu Dhabi diplomacy
- Capital hosts embassies and major international institutions. [17]
- IRENA headquarters
- International Renewable Energy Agency is headquartered in Abu Dhabi. [19]
- Climate policy
- Energy transition, solar deployment and adaptation are policy themes. [19] [15]
- World Heritage total
- Three properties inscribed after 2026 addition. [11]
- World Heritage cultural
- Two cultural World Heritage properties. [11]
- World Heritage natural
- One natural property. [11]
- Cultural Sites of Al Ain
- Oasis and archaeological landscape inscribed 2011. [11]
- Faya Palaeolandscape
- Palaeolithic cultural site inscribed 2025. [11]
- Wadi Wurayah
- Natural mountain landscape inscribed 2026. [11]
- Tentative list
- Tentative UNESCO sites are not counted in the three inscriptions. [11]
- Intangible heritage
- Falconry and other cultural traditions appear on distinct UNESCO registers. [12]
- Trade measurement
- WTO merchandise and UNCTAD totals should be read with their own scope notes. [9] [10]
- Federal representation
- Seven emirates retain distinct domestic institutions within federation. [5]
- Faya inscription
- Faya Palaeolandscape was inscribed in 2025. [11]
- Wadi inscription
- Wadi Wurayah became a natural World Heritage site in 2026. [11]
- Natural-cultural balance
- Two UNESCO sites are cultural and one natural. [11]
- Dubai imports/exports
- Maritime trade links support the country's regional commercial role. [9]
UNESCO World Heritage inventory
Three inscribed sites, including 2025 and 2026 additions. [11]
| Site | Category | Inscription |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Sites of Al Ain | Cultural | 2011 |
| Faya Palaeolandscape | Cultural | 2025 |
| Wadi Wurayah | Natural | 2026 |
Sources & Methodology
UAE total population is not a citizen count. The 2025 World Bank population estimate and 2024 FCSC population are separately identified, as is the 2024 country-page GDP compared with a 2025 estimate in the World Bank April 2026 regional note. WTO and UNCTAD 2024 trade series vary because of coverage, compilation and re-exports; the detailed WTO numbers are explicitly dated. The UAE currently has three inscribed World Heritage properties; pending tentative nominations and separately inscribed intangible traditions are excluded from the three-site count.
Editorial cutoff: November 6, 2026 (Pacific Time). Figures, governing arrangements and inscriptions should be revisited after subsequent official releases.
- United Nations Statistics Division — M49 — Western Asia geographic classification and codes.
- World Bank — UAE country data — 2025 population and most recent displayed 2024 GDP.
- World Bank — UAE April 2026 economic note — 2025 provisional GDP estimate in separate regional report.
- Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre — UAE numbers — 2024 population, area and GDP in dirhams.
- UAE Government — federal institutions — government and seven-emirate division of powers.
- UAE Government — president and deputies — President Mohamed bin Zayed and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid.
- UAE Government — Federal National Council — 40-member consultative legislature.
- UAE Embassy — Federal National Council — partial electoral college and appointments in council.
- WTO Tariff and Trade Data — UAE — 2024 merchandise exports, imports and partner shares.
- UNCTAD — UAE country profile — 2024 alternative international merchandise coverage.
- UNESCO World Heritage — United Arab Emirates — three World Heritage properties after 2026.
- UNESCO Intangible Heritage — UAE — separate intangible cultural heritage register.
- Central Bank of the UAE — dirham, monetary policy and banking.
- World Health Organization — UAE — public health data.
- World Bank Climate Knowledge Portal — UAE — heat, rainfall and coastal climate exposure.
- United Nations — Member States — UN membership.
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — government — federal leaders and regional relations.
- ILO — Arab States — labor and migrant work context.
- International Renewable Energy Agency — Abu Dhabi-based renewable-energy international organization.
- International Monetary Fund — UAE — macroeconomic policy and financial conditions.